There's more to life than low-cost transatlantic travel, as American Airlines' ongoing, $3 billion investment in its travel experience shows.

The world's largest airline has already poured resources into new, fully lie-flat premium seating and Wi-Fi accessibility on all long-haul aircraft.

Now comes a new Premium Economy experience between Ireland and the US.

A halfway house between economy and business, Premium Economy seats are available to purchase for travel from January 15, 2018, on American’s daily service from Dublin to Philadelphia, and from May 4 on its daily service to Charlotte Douglas.

Set in a dedicated space directly behind Business Class, it offers 38-inch seat pitches (larger than economy, at around 32-inches), leather seats, bigger touchscreen monitors and noise-reducing headphones for passengers.

Lead-in rates start from €689 return to Philadelphia, as opposed to €439 return in economy class and €1,726 return in American's business class cabin.

American's Permium Economy amenity kit

Premium Economy customers may also board the aircraft earlier and enjoy an enhanced meal service, an amenity kit, as well as complimentary wine, beer and spirits.

The service enhancements come just weeks after Aer Lingus announced that it would launch a competing route between Dublin and Philadelphia, a four-times weekly service set to take off on March 25 next.

American has been flying from Dublin since 2003 and currently operates up to four flights a day between Dublin and Chicago O’Hare (ORD), New York (JFK) Philadelphia and Charlotte, as well as a seasonal service from Shannon (SNN) to Philadelphia.